Sanitary support device for a medical instrument

ABSTRACT

A sanitary support device ( 10 ) for holding medical instruments during a medical procedure. The device includes a receptacle ( 12 ) having a closed end ( 13 ) relatively isolated from the environment and an open end ( 15 ) adapted for passage of at least a portion of a medical instrument into its closed end, and a mounting member  30 ) or other support for mounting the receptacle adjacent the patient, e.g. to an item commonly found in hospital rooms, etc. The receptacle may be of a single- or multi-piece design. In a multi-piece design, a lower portion of the receptacle is fixed to the mounting member, and the upper portion of the receptacle is removably supportable thereon. The receptacle may include a notch ( 20 ) having sidewalls spaced for pinching the instrument&#39;s tube to disrupt a vacuum flow. A removable liner ( 40 ) may be held by the receptacle or a portion thereof to prevent cross-contamination among patients.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to medical devices andparticularly to a receptacle for supporting a medical instrument, suchas a vacuum-operated aspirator tube.

BACKGROUND

Medical procedures are typically performed while a patient is resting ona bed, gurney, or operating table, etc. (collectively “bed”). Suchmedical procedures often involve the intermittent use of medicalinstruments. Before the present invention, an adequate place of rest formedical instruments was unavailable, particularly in hospital andnursing home rooms, which generally are not fully equipped forperformance of medical procedures.

Applicants have thus identified a need for a supportive receptacle, andpreferably a readily-accessible, sanitary receptacle, for medicalinstruments while such instruments are not in use during the course of amedical procedure. This need is particularly acute when the instrumentis of a type intended to be inserted into a patient's body because suchinstruments should be stored in a sterile environment to avoidcontamination of such instruments.

An aspirator tube is an example of a vacuum-operated instrumentincluding portions that are preferably stored in a sterile, or at leastrelatively clean, environment. The aspirator tube often includes aninterchangeable Yankauer tip that is changed for each patient so thatthe same aspirator tube may be repeatedly used without a fear ofcross-contamination among patients. The Yankauer tip is typicallyinserted into a patient's body for removing fluids from a body cavity,such as mucus from the mouth and throat. Bodily fluids are drawn throughthe tip and along the aspirator tube for collection and disposal. Theaspirator tube is vacuum-operated in that it is connected to a vacuumsource, such a vacuum pump. Applicants have come to appreciate that suchvacuum-operated instruments are noisy, which is particularly undesirablefor the extended periods of time that such instruments are not in useduring a medical procedure. Additionally, such instruments may drawdust, lint, etc. during such periods that can foul the vacuum system.

Applicants have thus also identified a need for a receptacle that allowsfor at least partial disruption of the vacuum flow to reduce oreliminate unwanted noise and prevent fouling of the vacuum system.

The present invention fulfills these needs, among others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sanitary support device for containingand isolating medical instruments in a substantially sanitaryenvironment during the course of a medical procedure performed on apatient. In preferred embodiments, the device comprises a receptaclehaving a closed end relatively isolated from the environment and an openend adapted for passage of at least a portion of a medical instrumentinto its closed end, and a mounting member for securing the receptaclein a position adjacent the patient. The sanitary support device providesa sanitary, readily accessible location to retain the medicalinstruments during periods of non-use of a medical procedure.

In certain embodiments, the sanitary support device includes areceptacle having a notch over which a tube, hose, cord, cable, etc.(collectively “tube”) of the medical instrument may be draped forsupport. The notch limits lateral movement of the medical instrument.The notch may be provided with spaced sidewalls for forming a frictionfit with the tube to limit longitudinal movement of the medicalinstrument. In a certain embodiment, the sidewalls are spaced forpinching the tube to at least partially disrupt a vacuum flowtherethrough to reduce or eliminate unwanted noise, intake of dust, etc.

Optionally, but preferably, a removable liner (e.g. sheet or bag) isheld by the receptacle (or a portion thereof) to prevent contact of themedical instrument with the receptacle (or a portion thereof), etc. andany resulting cross-contamination between the receptacle and the medicalinstrument. The liner (or receptacle portion including the liner) may beremoved and replaced to prevent cross-contamination among patients. In apreferred multi-piece receptacle embodiment, the receptacle includes anupper portion releasably matable with a lower portion. The upper portionincludes the liner and the lower portion includes a mounting member,such as a clamp, tongue or hook configured for attaching the sanitarysupport device to a pole, bed, cart, or other item commonly found inhospital rooms, nursing home rooms, operating rooms, etc. where it maybe desirable to use the sanitary support device. A clamp of the mountingmember may be joined directly to the receptacle or be supported on anarm joined to the receptacle to space the clamp from the receptacle. Thearm may be extendible.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example withreference to the following drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-5 are perspective views of an exemplary sanitary support devicein accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, shownwith various mounting members;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of an exemplary sanitary supportdevice in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary alternative embodiment ofthe liner of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device inaccordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device inaccordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13 and 15 are top views of the male portion of the sanitarysupport device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13A is a partial cross-sectional view of the male receptacleportion of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a retaining ring for insertion into the maleportion of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a linerincluding a retaining ring for use with the male portion of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 17-19 are perspective or plan views of alternative exemplarymounting members including a female support member receptacle portionfor supporting a male receptacle portion similar to that shown in FIGS.6, 7, 9, 10, 11 or 12;

FIG. 20 is a side view showing the mounting member of FIG. 18 attachedto abed;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the mounting member of FIG. 19attached to a pole;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the mounting member of FIG. 17supported between a bed and a mattress;

FIGS. 23-25A are front, top and side views of the sanitary supportdevice of FIGS. 6 and 7 shown attached to a bed;

FIGS. 26-28A are perspective and end views of the clamp-type mountingmember of FIG. 3, shown attached to a bed; and

FIG. 29 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for using a sanitarysupport device in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of an exemplary sanitarysupport device 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 1-5 the sanitary support device 10 includesa tubular receptacle 12 of a one-piece design. In FIGS. 1-5, thesanitary support device 10 includes a receptacle 12 that issubstantially circular in transverse cross-section and therefore formsan open-ended cylinder. Other tubular configurations, such as thosehaving rectangular, oval, irregular, or only partially closed tubes intransverse cross-section, are also suitable. The receptacle has a firstend 13 relatively isolated from the environment, e.g. an open or closedend, and an open end 15 adapted for passage of at least a portion of amedical instrument.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of an exemplary sanitary supportdevice 10 in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention which is illustrative of a receptacle 12 of a multi-piecedesign. More specifically, the receptacle 12 includes a male portion 12a and a female portion (support member) 12 b configured to mate with themale portion 12 a. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, themale portion 12 a has a necked-down portion 12 c for fitting in aninternal region 16 b of the female portion 12 b. The male and femaleportions 12 a, 12 b are provided with complementary ribs and grooves 14to positively couple the male and female portions 12 a, 12 b.Additionally, the ribs and grooves 14 retain a liner 40 when the maleand female portions 12 a, 12 b are mated, as can be seen from FIG. 7.When the liner 40 is positioned as shown in FIG. 7, the liner is capableof preventing contamination of the female portion 12 b by the medicalinstrument, making the female portion (support member) 12 b suitable andready for repeated use. The exemplary sanitary support device 10 ofFIGS. 6 and 7 also has a closed loop configuration in transversecross-section, similar to those of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device 10in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Theexemplary sanitary support device 10 of FIG. 8 is of a one-piece design,and is of an open configuration. In FIG. 8, the receptacle 12 issubstantially planar and acts as a support member.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device 10in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 9, the receptacle 12 is of a multi-piece design, thereceptacle 12 including a rigid body male portion 12 a and a femaleportion (support member) 12 b configured to mate with the male portion12 a. Conceptually, the male portion 12 a is configured to act as aliner for preventing contamination of the mating female portion 12 b.

In the example of FIG. 9, the male portion 12 a has an elongatednecked-down portion 12 c for fitting in an internal region of the femaleportion 12 b. In this manner, the male portion 12 a acts as a liner forreceiving a medical instrument and the female portion 12 b supports theliner/male portion 12 a. Accordingly, the female portion 12 b may bepermanently or semi-permanently attached to a bed (see FIGS. 17, 18, 20,22 and 23-28A), IV or other pole (see FIGS. 19, 21), etc., e.g. by amounting member 30 (not shown in FIG. 9), and the male portion 12 a maybe supported by the female portion 12 b, such that it may be removed andreplaced between treatment of consecutive patients. For a next patient,the same female portion 12 b may be used, and a new (sterile or clean)male portion 12 a may be used. The male portion 12 a may be cleaned andreused, or be discarded and replaced. Accordingly, the male portion 12 aacts as a liner 40 for female portion 12 b and a clean receptacle 10 isprovided for each patient so that cross-contamination between patientsis avoided.

It is preferable that the male portion 12 b be closed at its bottom end42 to support the medical instrument and prevent contamination thereof.For example, the male portion 12 a may be formed as a cup.Alternatively, the male portion 12 a may have a flexible liner bag 40attached thereto, e.g. around the inside or outside of necked-downportion 12 c, as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 10. Forexample, the liner bag 40 may be integrally formed with the male portion12 a, or the liner 40 may be adhered, fused, bonded, joined ormechanically fastened to the male portion 12 a. An exemplary arrangementof mechanically fastening the liner 40 to the male portion 12 a isdiscussed below with reference to FIGS. 12-16.

If the liner 40 is positioned to prevent contamination of the maleportion 12 a (see FIG. 2), then the liner 40 may be cleaned or replacedafter each patient and the male and female portions 12 a, 12 b may bereused. However, it is preferred that the male portion 12 a and liner 40are formed as a unit to encourage disposal and replacement thereof as aunit after each patient, and that only the female portion 12 b isreused, contamination of the female portion 12 b being prevented by themale portion/liner.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device 10in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 11, the receptacle 12 is of a multi-piece design, including amale portion 12 a and a female portion 12 b configured to mate with themale portion 12 a, as described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.In this embodiment, the male and female portions 12 a, 12 b have acomplementary configuration for positively interlocking, preferably in amanner permitting relative rotation. In the example of FIG. 11, thefemale portion 12 b defines an internal track in the nature of a groove50, and the male portion 12 a includes a cantilevered tang 52 having aprojection 54 for mating with and riding in the groove 50. This allowsfor rotation of the male portion 12 a relative to the female portion 12b and forms an insertion detent mechanism that helps to ensure positiveinterlocking of the male and female portions 12 a, 12 b. The tang 52 isprovided with a button 56 accessible when the male and female portions12 a, 12 b are mated. The button 56 may be depressed to cause deflectionof the tang 52 and corresponding disengagement of the projection 54 fromthe groove 50. Accordingly, when the button 56 is depressed, the maleportion 12 a may be easily removed from the female portion 12 b. In theexample of FIG. 11, the liner 40 is of a flexible bag-type and is joinedto or integral with the male portion 12 a, as described above withreference to FIG. 10. Accordingly, the male portion 12 a and liner 40may be removed and replaced as a unit. Alternatively, the female portion12 b may omit the groove 50 but have a reduced height (H₁) such that theprojection 54 latches beneath the lower edge of the female portion 12 b,as in FIG. 17, rather than in a groove 50.

Optionally, a multi-piece design may include a rotational detentmechanism to positively retain the male and female portions 12 a, 12 bin predetermined rotational positions relative to one another. Forexample, an external circumferential groove may be provided on the outersurface of the male portion 12 a, and the inner surface of the femaleportion 12 b may be provided with a projection (not shown) for riding inthe groove and positively, but releasably, seating in depressions spacedat predetermined positions along the groove. Accordingly, when the maleand female portions 12 a, 12 b are rotated relative to one another, theytend to releasably lock in position at predetermined positions at whichthe projection and a depression are aligned. Any suitable detentmechanisms may be used, as will be appreciated by those skilled in theart.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary sanitary support device 10with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shownin FIG. 12 is similar to that shown in FIG. 11. In particular, thesupport member 12 is of a multi-piece design, including a male portion12 a and a female portion 12 b configured to mate with the male portion12 a, as described above. The male and female portions 12 a, 12 b have acomplementary configuration for positively interlocking, preferably in amanner permitting relative rotation. Like the embodiment of FIG. 11, thefemale portion 12 b defines an internal track in the nature of a groove50, and the male portion 12 a includes a cantilevered tang 52 having aprojection 54 for mating with and riding in the groove 50. The entiretang 52 including the button 56 being capable of resiliently inwardlyflexing to permit a projection 54 to engage and disengage the groove 50.However, in this embodiment, the projection 54 is substantially wedgeshaped, e.g. in the form of a barb. In FIGS. 13-16, an exemplaryconfiguration of the male portion 12 a and liner 40 is shown formechanically fastening the liner 40 to the male portion 12. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A, the male portion 12 a has an outer sidewall 11, aninner sidewall 17 and a bottom wall 13. A groove 15 is formed in thebottom wall 13 of the male portion 12 a between the outer and innersidewalls 11, 17, e.g. by machining or integral molding. A retainingring 19 as shown in FIG. 14 is provided that is dimensioned to bereceived in'the groove 15 and form a friction fit therewith when a liner40 is positioned between the retaining ring 19 and groove 15. Forexample, an open end of a flexible liner 40 of a bag-type may bethreaded through the retaining ring 19 and have its end (adjacent theopen end) folded over the retaining ring 19 before the retaining ring 19is inserted into the groove 15. The friction fit of the male portion 12a, liner 40 and retaining ring 19 mechanically joins the liner 40 to themale portion 12 a. Alternatively, the retaining ring 19 may be bondedto, fused to, adhered to, or integrally formed with the liner 40 asshown in FIG. 16. In such a case, the retaining ring 19 may be simplyinserted into the groove 15 to mechanically join the liner 40 to themale portion 12 a.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8 and 12, the receptacle 12 definesa notch 20 for supporting a tube of a medical instrument. Theconfiguration of the notch 20, the weight of the medical instrument,and/or gravity cooperate to limit movement of the medical instrument,particularly in a lateral direction relative to the notch. The notch mayalso limit longitudinal movement of the medical instrument due tofriction between the tube of the medical instrument and the receptacle12.

The notch 20 may have any suitable configuration. For example, the notch20 may be substantially chevron-shaped as shown in FIG. 8. Optionally,the notch 20 includes sidewalls 22, 24 as shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 12spaced for holding a tube of the medical instrument in a friction fit,e.g. by pinching the tube, and thereby preventing longitudinal movementof the medical instrument relative to the receptacle. Forvacuum-operated medical instruments, the sidewalls 22, 24 may be spacedfor pinching a flexible vacuum hose. The pinching may slow or stop avacuum flow and thereby reduce suction noise and prevent fouling of thevacuum system by suction of dust, lint, etc. while the medicalinstrument is not in use. Optionally, the notch 20 includes re-entrantsidewalls 26, 28 sloping inwardly towards the spaced sidewalls 22, 24 toaid in guiding a tube between the spaced sidewalls 22, 24, as best shownin FIGS. 1, 2 and 12.

The sanitary support device 10 may be sufficiently large to befreestanding at a height easily accessible to a health care providerduring a medical procedure. However, it is preferable that thereceptacle is relatively small, e.g. less than 18 inches in overalllength, but is configured with a mounting member that may be used toattach the sanitary support device 10 to an item commonly found in ahospital room, nursing home room, doctor's office, operating room, etc.at a height that is easily accessible to a health care provider during amedical procedure. For example, such items include a bed, gurney, table,IV pole, bed pole, anesthesia cart, anesthesia machine, etc. Themounting member may have any suitable configuration. By way of example,the mounting member 30 may include a hook, tongue or clamp.

FIG. 1 shows a hook-type mounting member 30. For example, such amounting member may be used to hang the support member 12 from asiderail or other bed or gurney structure, a cart, etc. The hook-typemounting member may be constructed of any suitable material and joined,mounted, or attached to the support member 12 in any suitable manner,e.g. by machining, welding, mechanical fasteners, or injection molding.

Alternatively, FIGS. 2 and 17 show a tongue-type mounting member 30. Thetongue-type mounting member 30 may be constructed of any suitablematerial and joined, mounted, or attached to the receptacle 12 (orsupport member 12 b) in any suitable manner, e.g. by machining, welding,mechanical fasteners, or injection molding. For example, the tongue-typemounting member 30 may be constructed of bent tubing (see FIG. 2) or asubstantially flat plate (see FIG. 17) to extend from the sanitarysupport device approximately 10-24 inches in length so that thetongue-type mounting member 30 may be positioned under the mattress of abed, patient, etc. to be held in place by the weight of the mattressand/or patient, etc., as shown in FIG. 22.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 18, 19 and 23-28A show alternative clamp-type mountingmembers 30. The clamp-type mounting member 30 may be constructed of anysuitable material and joined, mounted, or attached to the receptacle 12in any suitable manner. Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 18, theclamp may be mounted on an arm 32 extending from the receptacle.Preferably, the arm 32 is elongated, e.g. between 4 and 24 inches inlength to allow the receptacle to be positioned near an end of the bed,etc., and the clamp to be attached to the bed, etc. at a distance fromthe end of the bed. This provides space along the bed, e.g. along asiderail of the bed, for attachment of other devices, while allowing thereceptacle to be positioned near an end of the bed for easy access by ananesthesiologist or other health care provider, as shown in FIGS. 20 and23-28A.

Optionally, the arm 32 is configured to selectively extend or retract,i.e. telescope. For example, such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 and18. Telescoping structures are well known in the art and any suitabletelescoping configuration may be used. For example, a telescopingstructure may include multiple extendible nesting portions, oroverlapping arms 32 a, 32 b held together by bolts 33 fastened to onearm 32 a and riding in a slot 35 of the other arm 32 b such that thebolts 33 may be tightened to fix the arm in an extended position, asshown in FIG. 18.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 19 show various clamp-type mounting members 30 includinga thumbscrew 34 for securely attaching the clamp to an IV pole or bedpole, at a desired height or position, as is well-known in the art.Various clamp configurations are known in the art and any suitable clampconfiguration may be used.

The sanitary support device 10 may be constructed of any suitablematerial(s) capable of supporting a medical instrument. For example,stainless steel, aluminum alloys and PVC, General Electric Co. Corp.'sLexan® and E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co. Corp.'s Delrin® plastics havebeen found to be suitable materials. In closed loop configurations, e.g.as shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 9-12, the receptacle 12 defines an internalregion 16 dimensioned for receiving the desired medical instruments. Forexample, an inner diameter D (for a cylindrical receptacle) of 2 to 5inches has been found suitable for many medical instruments. A sanitarysupport device having a height H of approximately 4 to 10 inches hasbeen found suitable for many medical instruments, for receptacles ofsingle and multi-piece designs, and for open and closed loopconfigurations.

As discussed above, a removable liner is provided for optional use forcovering at least a portion of the receptacle to preventcross-contamination between the medical instrument and receptacle, etc.The liner may be made of any suitable material, such as those well-knownfor use in medical applications. Preferably, the liner is constructed ofa relatively low-cost material, e.g. similar to a conventional plasticgrocery bag, that they may be used disposably and economically.Preferably, the liner is constructed of a material that will not bedrawn into a vacuum-operated medical instrument.

The liner may have any suitable configuration. For example, the liner 40may be a sheet that is draped over the receptacle, as shown in FIG. 8.Alternatively, the liner 40 may be a bag that is held in an interiorregion 16 of the sanitary support device 10 and/or a receptacle 12, asshown in FIGS. 2, 7, 11 and 12, or a rigid, closed-end cup-like member,as shown in FIG. 9.

When used with a sanitary support device 10 having a receptacle 12 of aone-piece design (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8), the liner 40 may includean elastic band 42 to retain the liner 40 on the sanitary support device10 as best shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, a tie, rubber band, etc. maybe used to hold the bag in place (not shown). As a further alternative,a portion of the bag may be looped over a hook-type mounting device (seeFIG. 1).

When used with a sanitary support device 10 having a receptacle 12 of amulti-piece design, the liner 40 may be placed between the male andfemale portions 12 a, 12 b before the portions are mated, theinterlocking action of the top and bottom portions holding the liner 40in place, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Alternatively, the liner 40 may bein the form of a rigid cup (see FIG. 9) or flexible bag (see FIGS. 10,11 and 12) and be joined to or joinable with one of the portions, e.g.the male portion 12 a, as shown in FIGS. 9-15.

The liner 40 may be cleaned and reused or removed and replaced with anew liner to prevent contamination between patients. Optionally, asterile liner may be used to preserve cleanliness of the medicalinstrument. The liner is particularly useful to prevent contamination ofthe receptacle or its components and prevent contamination of themedical instrument from the air, etc. When the liner and a portion ofthe receptacle are joined, removal and replacement of the liner and theassociated receptacle as a unit is encouraged, which helps to preventcross-contamination between the sanitary support device and the medicalinstrument, and between patients. However, it is noted that sterilityand/or cleanliness may be maintained by omitting use of a liner andcleaning the receptacle before or after each use.

A sanitary support device 10 according to the present invention may beused for containing and isolating medical instruments in a substantiallysanitary environment during the course of a medical procedure performedon a patient. FIG. 29 is a flow diagram 80 illustrating an exemplarymethod for using a sanitary support device. Referring now to FIG. 29, asanitary support device including a receptacle is provided, as shown atstep 82. Next, the receptacle is supported in a position for use duringa medical procedure by securing a mounting member of the sanitarysupport device to a bed, pole etc. For example, this may involvesupporting the mounting member by positioning a tongue of the mountingmember beneath a mattress of a bed, when the mounting member includes atongue. Alternatively, when the mounting member includes a clamp havinga thumbscrew, this step may involve supporting the mounting member byadvancing the thumbscrew against a pole or portion of a bed positionedwithin the clamp.

The sanitary support device 10 is then prepared for use in a medicalprocedure by applying a liner 40, e.g. by inserting a bag-type liner 40through the receptacle 12 as shown in FIG. 2, by draping a sheet-typeliner 40 over the receptacle 12 as shown in FIG. 8, by positioning abag-type liner 40 between the male and female portions 12 a, 12 b of atwo-piece receptacle and mating the portions 12 a, 12 b (see FIG. 7), orby mating a male portion 12 a including a liner 40 with the femaleportion 12 b (see FIGS. 9-12). The liner 40 provides a clean surface toprevent contamination of the medical instrument. The receptacle is thenready for use and a first portion of a medical procedure involving useof a selected medical instrument, such as an aspirator tube with aYankauer tip.

After performance of the first portion of a medical procedure, as shownat step 86, there is a period during which the medical instrument is notrequired, and it is desired to maintain the medical instrument in asanitary and/or clean environment. Accordingly, at this point, at leasta portion of the medical instrument is passed into the open end of thereceptacle, as shown at step 88. For example, a Yankauer tip of anaspirator tube may be inserted into an interior region 16 of thereceptacle 12/12 b (in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 9-12) ordraped over the receptacle 12/12 a (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8).

A tube of the medical instrument may be positioned in the notch 20, ifprovided, of the receptacle 12 to limit movement of the medicalinstrument relative to the sanitary support device 10. If desired, themedical instrument's tube may be guided along any re-entrant sidewalls26, 28 and positioned in a space between the sidewalls 22, 24 (see FIGS.1-5, 8 and 12) until the tube is secured by a friction fit with thesidewalls 22, 24 to limit lateral and longitudinal movement of the tube.If the medical instrument includes a vacuum tube, the sidewalls disrupta vacuum flow through the tube to eliminate or reduce any associatedsuction noise and prevent suction of dust, lint, etc. that might foulthe vacuum system, as shown at step 90.

When it is time to perform a second portion of the medical procedurethat requires use of the medical instrument, the medical instrument isremoved from the open end of the receptacle, and used to perform thesecond portion of the medical procedure, as shown at steps 92 and 94.The medical instrument may be removed from the sanitary support device,used and replaced in the sanitary support device as necessary during themedical procedure. In the case of a multi-piece design, the male portion12 a may be rotated relative to the female portion 12 b to allow foreasy positioning of the notch 20 at a location convenient for a healthcare provider. It should be noted that when a vacuum-based medicalinstrument is removed from the receptacle, i.e. when the medicalinstrument's tube is removed from between the sidewalls 22, 24, thevacuum flow resumes and the medical instrument is ready for use. In thismanner, the medical instrument is retained in a substantially sanitaryenvironment while in the receptacle at periods between the first andsecond portions of the medical procedure.

When the medical procedure is complete, the medical instrument (or aportion thereof, such as a disposable Yankauer tip) may be dropped intothe liner 40/receptacle 12/12 b and the liner and medical instrument maybe removed as a unit and disposed of as necessary leaving a sterilereceptacle 12/receptacle portion 12 b. If a liner 40 is not used, thereceptacle may be disassembled and cleaned as desired.

Having thus described particular embodiments of the invention, variousalterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements asare made obvious by this disclosure are intended to be part of thisdescription though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to bewithin the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoingdescription is by way of example only, and not limiting. The inventionis limited only as defined in the following claims and equivalentsthereto.

1. A sanitary support device for containing and isolating a medicalinstrument in a substantially sanitary environment during the course ofa medical procedure performed on a patient, said device comprising: areceptacle having a first end substantially isolated from theenvironment and an open end adapted for passage of at least a portion ofsaid medical instrument into said first end; and means for mounting saidreceptacle adjacent to the patient.
 2. The sanitary support device ofclaim 1, wherein said first end of said receptacle is removably attachedto said mounting means.
 3. A sanitary support device for containing andisolating a medical instrument in a substantially sanitary environmentduring the course of a medical procedure performed on a patient, saiddevice comprising: a receptacle having a first end substantiallyisolated from the environment and an open end adapted for passage of atleast a portion of said medical instrument into said first end; and amounting member capable of supporting said receptacle.
 4. The sanitarysupport device of claim 3, wherein said first end comprises a closedend.
 5. The sanitary support device of claim 3, wherein said receptaclecomprises a support member substantially permanently attached to saidmounting member and wherein at least a portion of said first end isremovably attached to said support member.
 6. The sanitary supportdevice of claim 3, said receptacle comprising a notch adjacent said openend for limiting movement of the medical instrument relative to saidreceptacle.
 7. The sanitary support device of claim 3, wherein themedical instrument comprises a flexible vacuum tube, said receptaclecomprising a notch adjacent said open end, said notch having sidewallsspaced for pinching the vacuum tube to at least partially disrupt avacuum flow therethrough.
 8. A sanitary support device kit for providinga clean place of rest for a medical instrument, said sanitary supportdevice kit comprising: a receptacle having a first end substantiallyisolated from the environment and an open end adapted for passage of atleast a portion of said medical instrument into said first end; and aliner removably positionable within said receptacle.
 9. The sanitarysupport device kit of claim 7, wherein the medical instrument comprisesa flexible vacuum tube, said receptacle comprising a notch adjacent saidopen end, said notch having sidewalls spaced for pinching the vacuumtube to at least partially disrupt a vacuum flow therethrough.
 10. Asanitary support device for receiving and supporting a medicalinstrument, said sanitary support device comprising: a substantiallytubular support member; and a receptacle having a first endsubstantially isolated from the environment, said receptacle comprisinga cantilevered tang defining a projection for mating with said supportmember; whereby said receptacle is receivable by said support member tosupport the medical instrument.
 11. The sanitary support device of claim10, further comprising: a mounting member joined to said support memberfor mounting said receptacle.
 12. The sanitary support device of claim11, wherein said mounting member comprises a substantially planaroutwardly extending tongue.
 13. The sanitary support device of claim 12,wherein said tongue comprises a plate-like member.
 14. The sanitarysupport device of claim 11, wherein said mounting member comprises ahook.
 15. The sanitary support device of claim 11, wherein said mountingmember comprises a clamp having a thumbscrew.
 16. The sanitary supportdevice of claim 15, wherein said clamp is supported on an arm extendingfrom said support member.
 17. The sanitary support device of claim 16,wherein said arm is extendible.
 18. The sanitary support device of claim10, said receptacle comprising a bag-like flexible liner defining saidfirst end.
 19. The sanitary support device of claim 18, wherein saidliner is releasably joined to said receptacle.
 20. The sanitary supportdevice of claim 18, said receptacle having an outer sidewall, an innersidewall, and a bottom wall extending therebetween and defining agroove, said receptacle further comprising a retaining ring disposed insaid groove to securely fix a portion of said liner therein.
 21. Thesanitary support device of claim 10, wherein said support member definesan internal groove for receiving said projection.
 22. The sanitarysupport device of claim 10, wherein said first end comprises a closedend.
 23. A sanitary support device for containing and isolating amedical instrument in a substantially sanitary environment during thecourse of a medical procedure performed on a patient, said devicecomprising: a receptacle having a first end substantially isolated fromthe environment and an open end adapted for passage of at least aportion of said medical instrument into said first end; and a mountingmember joined to said receptacle for mounting said receptacle adjacentto the patient.
 24. The sanitary support device of claim 23, whereinsaid first end comprises a closed end.
 25. The sanitary support deviceof claim 23, wherein said mounting member comprises a substantiallyplanar outwardly extending tongue.
 26. The sanitary support device ofclaim 25, wherein said tongue comprises a plate-like member.
 27. Thesanitary support device of claim 23, wherein said mounting membercomprises a hook.
 28. The sanitary support device of claim 23, whereinsaid mounting member comprises a clamp having a thumbscrew.
 29. Thesanitary support device of claim 28, wherein said clamp is supported onan arm extending from said receptacle.
 30. The sanitary support deviceof claim 29, wherein said arm is extendible.
 31. A method for containingand isolating medical instruments in a substantially sanitaryenvironment during the course of a medical procedure performed on apatient, said method comprising: providing, in proximity to a patient, areceptacle having a first end substantially isolated from theenvironment and an open end adapted for passage of at least a portion ofsaid medical instrument into said first end; passing at least a portionof said medical instrument into said open end of said receptacle aftersaid medical instrument is used to perform a first portion of themedical procedure; and removing said medical instrument from said openend of said receptacle before said medical instrument is used to performa second portion of the medical procedure; whereby said medicalinstrument is retained in a substantially sanitary environment while insaid receptacle intermediate said first portion and said second portionof the medical procedure.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein saidmedical instrument comprises a vacuum tube and said receptacle defines anotch having sidewalls spaced for pinching the vacuum tube to at leastpartially disrupt a vacuum flow therethrough, the method furthercomprising: positioning the vacuum tube between said sidewalls to atleast partially disrupt a vacuum flow through the vacuum tube.
 33. Themethod of claim 31, wherein said receptacle comprises a mounting membercomprising a tongue, the method further comprising: supporting saidmounting member by positioning said tongue beneath a mattress of a bed.34. The method of claim 31, wherein said receptacle comprises a mountingmember comprising a clamp having a thumbscrew, the method furthercomprising: supporting said mounting member by advancing said thumbscrewagainst a pole positioned within said clamp.
 35. The method of claim 31,wherein said receptacle comprises a mounting member comprising a clamphaving a thumbscrew, the method further comprising: supporting saidmounting member by advancing said thumbscrew against a portion of a bedpositioned within said clamp.